Barcelona marks 30th anniversary of the 1992 Olympic Games with a city-wide tribute
Barcelona City Council will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Olympic Games with a formal recognition of the volunteers, the transformation of the city, and the generational shift in sports. The event aims to highlight how the Olympic movement helped shape Barcelona over three decades and how local talents contributed to its lasting impact.
An afternoon celebration is planned for July 21, featuring a ceremonial mapping and performances at Plaza Sant Jaume, following an activity in the City Council’s Saló de Cent. The council described the gathering as an opportunity to honor the volunteers who supported the Games, alongside the city’s sports figures who embody the evolution of athletic dedication since 1992.
The program will begin at 20:15 and is expected to accommodate about 200 attendees, including Olympic and Paralympic guests and a range of notable figures. Guests will have the chance to view items from the Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sports Museum, which preserves the Games’ legacy and has contributed pieces for this commemorative display. Among the objects on view are a torch from the Barcelona ’92 Olympic Games and another from the Paralympic Games, positioned beside one of the podiums used during the events.
The audiovisual show will weave a narrative about the city’s transformation, tracing the announcement of the Games in 1986 through the historic opening to the present, illustrating the ongoing vision for Barcelona’s future. Throughout the performance, audience members will witness a sequence of stages that culminate in the unveiling of the Olympic rings — the fivefold symbol of unity that connects every continent through sport.
Guest performers include the Manolo Catalan rumba group, who will revisit a memorable moment from the closing ceremony of the 1992 Games. Beth and Jofre Bardagí will perform the anthem “Friends Forever,” with Manu Guix and Maria Hinojosa, and the Cor de Teatre ensemble contributing to the musical program. The immersive audiovisual production and sound design will be projected onto the City Hall façade and will be presented three times in succession on July 22, 23, and 24 at 22:15, 22:30, and 22:45 respectively.
The event seeks to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Olympic experience in Barcelona, emphasizing volunteerism, civic pride, and the city’s enduring sporting heritage. It also serves to acknowledge the generations who have carried forward the values and momentum of the Games, ensuring its memory remains a living part of Barcelona’s urban and cultural landscape.